What are the Top 5 Common Mistakes New Dog Owners Make When it Comes to Training?

One of the questions that I get asked a lot when it comes to training a new dog is how to go about it. I also see many of my students and families struggling when it comes to training their new puppy. When it comes to training your dog there are several mistakes that many new dog owners make. Here are some of the common mistakes that are seen very often when it comes to training your dog.

1. Not Following Through

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes that new dog owners make is simply not following through with the commands and behavior modifications that they want to see with their pup. When it comes to training a dog it is really all about consistency.

For example, if you truly do not want your dog to sit on your couch, make sure that you teach him this from the very start. A puppy that is allowed on the couch is going to become a dog that sits on the couch as well. When you change the rules for your dog it can lead them to be confused and not willing to give up a right that they once had.

2. Timing

One of the other major pitfalls that new dog owners fall into is bad timing. When it comes to training a dog it is all about right now. When your dog does something good it is important to praise him or if he does something wrong, it is important to offer correction. However, when it comes to correcting a behavior, unless you catch him in the act you should not correct him. A dog will not understand why he is being punished for something unless he is in the moment.

3. Giving Too Many Commands

You are trying to teach your dog to sit and you simply give the command over and over and watch your dog continue to stand and stare. Finally, the tenth time you repeat it you raise your voice and change your tone and your pup immediately sits. When you do this you are telling your dog that you did not really mean it until that tenth time and they do not have to listen to a command until you use a certain tone of voice.

4. Getting Bored

Another problem with training that is quite common is trying to move on to a new section too quickly. Rushing through training is a mistake. Often times, pet owners incorrectly assume that their dog understands the first command before they really do. When training your dog to stay or sit or any other command, make sure that he has perfected that first command before moving on to something more difficult. This may take more time than you think.

5. Treating Your Dog Like a Human

This is a common mistake that almost every dog owner makes, treating their dog like it is human. It is important to remember that dogs are different than humans and this is really important to remember during training. A dog does not think like a human and we should not expect them to.

Make sure that you read training guides and books about training your dog and prepare yourself well. If you do this, your dog training should go smoothly and you will avoid potential behavior problems in the future.